Doodling: Tip #1, Save Your Doodles - All of Them!

Above: Snapshot of a floral pattern I'm in the process of creating with some doodles from my sketchbook.

I have been doodling all my life and it's not until 4 years ago that I realized just how valuable the most random doodle really is. Each one is a stepping stone, future inspiration and a piece of inventory, so if I can give you one piece of advice today, it’s to save your doodles – don’t throw them away! Even if you’ve doodled on a napkin or piece of scrap paper, save all your pieces in a box or glue them onto an old book or an old calendar planner. As time goes by, you will look back and see how your style has become more defined. It will motivate you to keep on going. You’ll hear a little voice inside of you say “hey, I’m on to something here.” At that point, you will also begin to see your doodles as inventory. They will become a “rough draft” for something that you are now more confident and qualified to create. A logo perhaps? Possibly. A featured element in a pattern design? Sure! Why not?

If this seems like a far-fetched reality for you at this time, that’s okay. Take my advice anyway. One day when you’re looking to make a little extra money on the side, change careers or decide to further explore your artistic side, you’ll realize you’ve been training for it all along. You'll have something to work with and something to validate that feeling.